How To Prepare for Your Marriage Based Green Card Interview at San Jose Uscis Office

If you’ve applied for a green card through marriage and received an interview notice from the San Jose USCIS Field Office, congratulations, you’re one step closer to permanent residency. However, this interview is more than a formality. It is a critical step where USCIS determines whether your marriage is genuine and meets the legal standards for immigration benefits.

At The Ahluwalia Firm, we’ve guided hundreds of couples through this process. This article will walk you through what to expect, what to bring, which questions to prepare for, and how to avoid common pitfalls including those that could lead to a fraud referral.

Where Your Interview Takes Place

Most local applicants will attend their interview at:

USCIS San Jose Field Office
1450 Coleman Avenue
Santa Clara, CA 95050
(800) 3755283

Plan to arrive 30–45 minutes early, dressed neatly and with all required documents organized and ready to present. Phones and smart devices are generally not permitted inside, so plan accordingly.

What To Bring to the Interview

Bring original documents plus organized copies for both the U.S. citizen petitioner and the immigrant beneficiary:

• USCIS interview appointment notice (Form I797C)
• Government-issued IDs (passports, driver’s licenses, green card if applicable)
• Marriage certificate (original and copy)
• Birth certificates, divorce decrees, and prior immigration documents
• Joint evidence:
  • Lease/mortgage in both names
  • Joint bank accounts
  • Utility bills
  • Health/life insurance policies listing each other as beneficiaries
  • Tax returns filed as “married”
  • Photographs, travel records, messages/chats
  • Children’s birth certificates (if applicable)

➡ Pro Tip: Organize all evidence in a binder with labeled tabs. A well-prepared couple makes a strong impression.

Questions You May Be Asked at the Interview

USCIS officers are trained to evaluate whether your relationship is bona fide. Among other questions, they may ask:

• How did you meet and when did the relationship become serious?
• Who proposed, and how?
• What side of the bed do you sleep on?
• What time does your spouse wake up?
• What kind of toothpaste does your spouse use?
• Who does the cooking or laundry in your household?
• What are your in-laws’ names and where do they live?
• When did you last go out together?
• What color is your spouse’s toothbrush?

➡ Tip: Couples may be interviewed together or separately. Inconsistent or conflicting answers can raise suspicion and delay or derail your case.

Red Flags That Can Trigger a Fraud Referral

While many marriage-based petitions are legitimate, officers are required to watch for fraud indicators. A case may be flagged for further review by USCIS’s Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) division if:

• The couple does not live together
• You married shortly before filing with minimal shared history
• Documents are missing, inconsistent, or appear altered
• The couple cannot communicate fluently due to language barriers
• There is no financial interdependence (no joint lease, bank account, etc.)
• Either spouse has a history of immigration filings for other partners

➡ Tip: If any of these apply, it’s essential to work with an immigration attorney before your interview. You may still have a strong case with the right explanation and documentation.

What Happens After the Interview?

Your case may be:

• Approved on the spot (you’ll receive your green card in the mail within weeks)
• Held for review (officer needs more time or supervisor review)
• Subject to a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID)
• Referred for fraud investigation if serious concerns arise

How the Ahluwalia Firm Can Help

Preparing for your marriage-based green card interview should not be taken lightly. Even genuine couples can get tripped up by small inconsistencies or lack of documentation.

At The Ahluwalia Firm, we provide:

• Personalized interview preparation sessions
• Document review and evidence organization
• Mock interviews with real USCIS-style questions
• RFE and NOID response support if needed

We represent clients across San Jose, Santa Clara, Fremont, Sunnyvale, and the entire Bay Area, and we understand what local officers expect.

Schedule Your Interview Prep Today

Need help preparing for your USCIS marriage interview?

Call us at (408) 9817696 or request a consultation online at www.ahluwalia-firm.com
Let us help you walk into your interview with confidence and clarity.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration law is complex and case-specific. For legal guidance tailored to your situation, contact The Ahluwalia Firm.